2025 saw the introduction of smart tachographs, and it is clear that 2026 will also be a year of change. The increase in load capacity to 44 tonnes, which will be implemented at the beginning of the new year, is in addition to the change we are bringing you today: the definitive implementation of the eCMR.
Until now, all international transport must carry the CMR, which is a standardised and official physical consignment note for transport between countries that are signatories to the Geneva Convention. This document contains information about the shipment: who is transporting what, for whom, from where and to where, and under what conditions.
The novelty for the coming year is that, according to EU Regulation 2020/1056, European authorities are obliged to accept and recognise the electronic information included in the eCMR. This will lead to the widespread use of this electronic document, saving management time in transport departments and inspection time for the authorities during transit. Using a QR code, all documentation is centralised and available, reducing the risk of loss and penalties, while also complying with eFTI standards.
In addition, this document contains the traceability of each action related to the cargo, with everything recorded in an instantaneously accessible and tamper-proof event log.
In our case of transporting liquid foodstuffs, it can provide additional information that guarantees the safety and traceability of the transport through information on transport temperatures, seals, and the condition of the cargo through documentation or images.
This document has been signed by more than 34 countries, most of which have ratified it, meaning that it has full legal recognition. The signatory countries have expressed their commitment to the document, but its use may be subject to limitations (such as in Italy, Portugal, Turkey, or Azerbaijan). Ireland, Bosnia, and Albania are countries that would be outside the agreement.
It is important to note that if a route crosses a non-signatory country, the eCMR has no legal validity and must be accompanied by a consignment note for that particular section.
Another step forward in 2026 to make us more competitive and efficient.
This has been the work of Sr. Concejo
